Sound dispersing device



Sept. 4, 1951 F. A. MANLEY SOUND DISPERSING DEVICE Filed 001:. 29. 1948v INVENTOR. Muzzle '9 .flfladdaM Fred A alto rag Patented Sept. 4, 1951UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SOUND DISPERSING DEVICE Fred A. Manley, EastGrand Rapids, Mich. Application October 29, 1948, Serial No. 57,278

15 Claims. (01. 181-31 1 The present invention relates to acousticdevices and more particularly to a sound dispersing device foramplifying and dispersing sounds emanating from a sound reproducer orelectroacoustic transducer having a vibrating diaphragm. r

The primary objects of the invention are to provide an improved sounddispersing device or "udspeaker primarily intended for use inauditoriums, concert halls, theaters and other place of assembly,both'indoor and outdoor; to provide such a device which will eifectivelyradiate sound throughout an entire 360 directional range or portionthereof; to provide such a device which will effectively disperse tonesof both high and low frequencies; and in general to provide such animproved sound dispersing device which is efiicient in use, reasonablyeconomical in manufacture, and attractive in appearance.

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of my new sound dispersing device;

Figure 2 is a central vertical sectional view of the, same taken on ahorizontal line through the center of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a central vertical sectional view of a modified form of thedevice;

, Figure 4 is a central vertical sectional view of another modified formof the device;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the device, on

a reduced scale, with an arcuate shield applied to a circumferentialportion thereof; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the same taken on line 6|iof Figure 5.

Referring now in detail to these drawings, the various modification ofmy new sound dispersing device or loudspeaker shown in Figures 2, 3 and4 all appear identical in top plan view, and the top plan view of thedevice shown in Figure l is therefore a true top plan view of each ofsaid modifications Referring first particularly to Figures 1 and 2, thesound dispersing device is housed in a drumshaped housing comprising acircular upper head HI and a circular lower head H secured together inspacedapart parallelism as by means of rivets |2 having spacer collarsl3 thereon, and the upper head In is desirably provided with a centraleyelet l4 by means of which the device may be suspended on a rope orchain or otherwise attached to a ceiling or other suitable mooringplace. Other means of mounting the device may include a pedestal securedto the underside of the lower head It for supporting the device frombeneath.

The sound dispersing device shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a flat,circular base or disc 2|, a second fiat, circular sub-base plate or disc22 disposed in spaced apart substantially parallel and substantiallycoaxial relation to the first disc 2|, and a third circular horn-formingplate or disc 23 having a central throat opening 21 contiguous to butslightly spaced from the center of the base disc 2|, said third disc 23extending from said throat opening conoidally to an outer peripherycontiguous to but slightly spaced from the outer periphery of the seconddisc 22. A fourth circular separator plate or disc 24 is desirably, butnot necessarily, interposed between the base disc 2| and thehorn-forming disc 23 and extends from a central opening 26 thereinconoidally and equidistantly between the discs 2| and 23 to an outerperiphery midway betweentheperipheries of said discs 2| and 23.

The electro-acoustic transducer which constitutes the source of sound tobe amplified and dispersed by my new sound [dispersing device, may be'of conventional construction and is here indicated diagrammatically as adiaphragm 25 disposed in the central throat opening '21 of the third orhorn-forming disc 23, which disc 23 divides the region between the basedisc 2| and the sub-base disc 22' into a low frequency resonatingchamber 28 and a high frequency horn 29 which may be divided into twoparts by the separator disc 24. It will readilybe seen that vibration ofthe diaphragm 25 sets up sound waves adjacent thereto which are ofopposite phase in the resonating chamber 28 and in the divided horn 29respectively, and these sound waves are amplified and dispersed from thehorn 29, and from the chamber 28 through the narrow pee ripheral opening30, in approximately the same phase. The horn 29 is designed to dispersesound waves of predominant higher frequencies ranging toward lesserdispersion at the lower frequencies. The separator .disc 24 is providedin the horn 29 for better dispersing the sound waves, and while one suchseparator disc is here shown it will be understood that two or more (ornone) may be provided depending upon the size of the horn and thecharacter of the installation. The resonating chamber 28 is designed todisperse sound waves of predominant lower frequencies ranging towardlesser dispersion at the higher frequencies, said sound waves beingemitted through the narrow peripheral opening 30 between the discs 22and 23 in approximately the same phase with, and blended with, the wavesemitted from the horn29.

The discs 2|, V22, 23, and are secured to- 3 gether and to the upper andlower heads of the housing drum as by means of rivets 3! having spacercollars 32 thereon for securing the plates in properly spaced relation.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figure 3, the sounddispersing device hereinbefore described is simply doubled for greateramplification and effectiveness; there. being a commorrbaseor primarydiSC .'.4| a,IId' two subbase or secondary discs 42 and 42 with twoconoidal horn-forming or tertiary discs 43 and 43 and as shown with twoconoidal separator discs 44 and M ure 2 except that the soundreproduction is doubled, it being understood thatthe diaphrag ms i inthe throat openings 41 and 41 are. so. ar-;

ranged that sound is emitted from both the resonating chamber and thehorn approximately in phase.

In, the modification of: the invention shown in figure 4; the. variousparts" and their" arrangementv and operation areidentical to those showninEi'gure. 2 except;that"the thirdorhorn-forming; disc. 53" andtheseparatordisc 54 are shown conical; in formation for" economy ofmanufactu're, instead; of; conoidal, the latter term being intended toinclude those forms' generated by the; revolution of. a conic section"about its axis, including: spherical. In any of the modifications. of,the device shown' in Figures 2, 3 and 4', the. most.desirableandeffective'degree of taper between the. base discand. the third'orhorn.- forming discmay be; determined'ifora particular installation bythe. use of" any of: several. well;- known. formulae now used fordetermining the taper. inunil-directional horns. While the top and.-bottom plates. or. discs; in all of: the modifications. illustrated, areshown asbeing fiat, either oneor bothmay'bersomewhat conicalior conoidalin. formation, thus. increasing or; decreasing the sizeofthe.hornand/or:the resonant chamber:

Figures 5.' and; 6' show. an arrangement' whereby The operation of-the'device'- is the same as that of the device-shownin Fig;

4 outwardly convergent resonating chamber having a 360 peripheralopening from which the lower frequency sounds are dispersed.

2. A sound dispersing device comprising a pair of spaced apartsubstantially coaxial discs, and a third disc disposed between said pairand having a throat opening at its center contiguous to but..slightlyspaced from theicenters of one disc of said pair and lextending fromsaid-throat opening to an outer periphery contiguous to but slight- 1y;spaced from the outer periphery of the other any of themodificationsoff'thej device shown'and described-imam be.provided'withflan arcuate shield 60; securedltothe.housing drumuas bymeans. of screws. =6] .fon screening;anyycircumferential por tion. ofthe device. and" thus; limiting the directio.n.-. of. sound: dispersionto less. than .360.

c It. will. thus. beiseen. that; the invention providaa novel'acoustic,device. for the. dispersion ofisound,.which. is capable of'blending anddispersinghigh frequency. and low frequency. sound waveslin. approximatephase throughouta. 360 directional. range. or lessifdesired', and whilebut. severalspecific. embodimentsof the invention have.been.herein,shown and described, it will. be. understood. that numerous details maybealtered or omitted. without departing from the-.spiritofithe.invention asthe same, is defined by; the. following, claims.

I. claim: 1..A sound dispersing device comprising a pair of"spacedapartsubstantially. parallel. plates, and a -third plate.vdisposed between. said. pair and having; a throat .opening at. itsvcenter contiguous tosbut slightly spaced from the. center of oneplateofsaid pair andextending fromsaid throat opening to-anoutenperiphery contiguous to but slightly spaced; from=the. outer peripheryof the other. plate of. said pair,- said. third plate thus dividing theregion betweensaid. pair. of plates into a unitary outwardlydivergenthornhaving a 3603 peripherahopening fromiwhichthe higherfrequency sounds are dispersed and a unitary disc of said pair, saidthird disc thus dividing the" region: between said pair of discs into aunitary,v outwardly divergent horn having a 360 peripheral opening fromwhich the higher frequency.soundsaarefiispersed and a unitary out-Wardly convergent resonating chamber having a 360"peripheral openingfrom which the lower frequency sounds are dispersed.

3. A sound dispersing device comprising apair of spaced apartsubstantially coaxial discs; and a third disc disposed between said pair*and -hav-- inga throat 'opening-at its 'center contiguous to butslightly spaced from the center of one disc of said pair and extendingfrom saidthroat opening conically to an I outer "periphery" contiguousto but slightly spaced 'from-theouter periphery; of the other disc. ofsaid'pair; said-third dis'c thus dividing theregion' between said'pairof discs into a unitary outwardlydivergent horn having a 360 peripheralopening from which the higher frequency sounds are-dispersedand a-unitary outwardly convergent resonating chamher having a 360-peripheral ope-ning from which the lower frequency soun'd'saredispersed;I

4; A sounddis'persing devicecomprising-a pair of spaced apartsubstantially coaxial discs, and a third'disc disposed betweensaidpairand having a throat opening: at its' center contiguous to" butslightly spaced from the center of'" one disc 'of'saidp'airand extending-from said' throat opening conoidally to an outer periphery'contiguousto but slightlyspaced from the outer periphery of the other disc ofsaid" pair; said third disc thus dividing the region between said pairof discs into'- a unitaryoutwardly; divergent horn having a 360peripheral opening from which' th'e higher frequency-sounds aredispersed and a unitary outwardly convergent resonating chamber having a360 peripheral opening from. which the lower frequency sounds' aredispersed.

5. Asound dispersing device-comprising a pair of' spaced apartsubstantially coaxial circular discs, and a third circulardiscdisposed'between said pair and having a throat opening at its center contiguousto but slightly spaced from the'center of one discofsaid pair andextending from said' throat opening to an outer periphery contiguous tobut slightly'spaced from theouter peripheryof the otherdisc of saidpair, said third disc thus dividing the-region between said pair" ofdiscs into a unitary outwardly divergent horn havinga 360peripheralopening from which 'thehi'gher frequency sounds are dispersed, and aunitary outwardlyconvergent resonating chamber-havinga 360"- peripheralopening from which thelower' frequency sounds'are dispersed.

6;- A sound dispersingdevice-comprising a pair of" spacedv apartsubstantially; coaxial" circular discs, and. a thirdcircular'discdisposed between said pairand having a throat opening at; its centercontiguous to but" slightly" spaced from the center oronedisc of saidpair and extend-.- ing from said throat opening conicallyto'anouter-periphery contiguous to but slightly spaced from the outerperiphery of the other disc of said pair, said third disc thus dividingthe region between said pair of discs into a unitary outwardly divergenthorn having a 360 peripheral opening from which the higher frequencysounds are dispersed and a unitary outwardly convergent resonatingchamber having a 360 peripheral opening from which the lower frequencysounds are dispersed. '7. A sound dispersing device comprising a pair ofSpaced apart substantially coaxial circular discs. and a third circulardisc disposed between said: pair and having a throat opening at itscenter contiguous to but slightly spaced from the center'of one disc ofsaid pair and extending from said throat opening conoidally to an outerperiphery contiguous to but slightly spaced from the outer periphery ofthe other disc of said pair, said third disc thus dividing the regionbetween said pair of discs into a unitary outwardly divergent hornhaving a 360 peripheral opening from which the higher frequency soundsare dispersed and a. unitary outwardly convergent resonating chamberhaving a 360 peripheral opening from which the lower frequency soundsare dispersed. V

8. A sound dispersing device comprising a first disc, a second discspaced from and substan tially coaxial with the first disc, a third discdisposed between the first and second discs and having a throatopeningat its center contiguous to but slightly spaced from the centerof the first disc and extending from said throat opening to an outerperiphery contiguous to but slightly spaced from the outer periphery ofthe second disc, and a fourth disc disposed between and spacedly fromthe first and third discs, said fourth disc having an opening in thecenter thereof and extending from said opening to a periphery lyingbetween the peripheries of the first and third discs, said third discthus dividing the region between said first and second discs into anoutwardly divergent horn from which the higher frequency sounds aredispersed and a unitary outwardly convergent resonating chamber having a360 peripheral opening from which the lower frequency sounds aredispersed, and

said fourth disc dividing said outwardly divergent horn into two unitaryhorn parts each hav ing a 360 peripheral opening.

9. A sound dispersing device comprising a first disc, a second discspaced from and substantially coaxial with the first disc, a third discdisposed between the first and second discs and having a throat openingat its center contiguous to but slightly spaced from the center of thefirst disc and extending from said throat opening to an outer peripherycontiguous to but slightly spaced from the outer periphery of the seconddisc, and a fourth disc disposed equidistantly between the first andthird discs, said fourth disc having an opening in the center thereofand extending from said opening to a periphery lying equidistantlybetween the peripheries of the first and third discs, said third discthus dividing the region between said first and second discs into anoutwardly divergent horn from which the higher frequency sounds aredispersed and a unitary outwardly convergent resonating chamber having a360 peripheral opening from which the lower frequency sounds aredispersed, and said fourth disc dividing said outwardly divergent horninto two unitary'horn parts each having a, 360 peripheral opening.

10. A sound dispersing device comprising a first disc, a second discspaced from and substantially coaxial with the first disc, a third discdisposed between the first and second discs and having a throat openingat its center contiguous to but slightly spaced from the center of thefirst disc and extending from said throat opening conoidally to an outerperiphery contiguous to but slightly spaced from the outer periphery ofthe second disc, and a fourth disc disposed between and spacedly fromthe first and third discs, said fourth disc having an opening in thecenter thereof and extending from said opening conoidally to a peripherylying between the peripheries of the first and third discs, said thirddisc thus dividing the region between said first and second discs intoan outwardly divergent horn from which the higher frequency sounds aredispersed and a unitary outwardly convergent resonating chamber having a360 peripheral opening from which the lower frequency sounds aredispersed, and said fourth disc dividing said outwardly divergent horninto two unitary horn parts each having a 360 peripheral opening.

11. A sound dispersing device comprising a first disc, 2, second discspaced from and substantially coaxial with the first disc, a third discdisposed between the first and second discs and having a throat openingat its center contiguous to but slightly spaced from the center of thefirst disc and extending from said throat opening conoidally to an outerperiphery contiguous to but slightly spaced from the outer periphery ofthe second disc, and a fourth disc disposed equidistantly between thefirst and third discs, said fourth disc having an opening in the centerthereof and extending from said opening conoidally to a periphery lyingequidistantly between the peripheries of the first and third discs, saidthird disc thus dividing the region between said first and second discsinto an outwardly divergent horn from which the higher frequency soundsare dispersed and a unitary outwardly convergent resonating chamberhaving a 360 peripheral opening from which the lower frequency soundsare dispersed, and said fourth disc dividing said outwardly divergenthorn into two unitary horn parts each having a 360 peripheral opening.

12. A sound dispersing device comprising a pair of spaced apartsubstantially coaxial circular discs, a third circular disc disposedbetween said pair and having a throat opening at its center contiguousto but slightly spaced from the center of one disc of said pair andextending from said throat opening to an outer periphery contiguous tobut slightly spaced from the outer periphery of the other disc of saidpair, said third disc thus dividing the region between said pair ofdiscs into a unitary outwardly divergent horn having a 360 peripheralopening from which the higher frequency sounds are dispersed and aunitary outwardly convergent resonating chamber having a 360 peripheralopening from which the lower frequency sounds are dispersed, and anarcuate shield screening a portion of the circumferential space betweenthe substantially coaxial pair of discs for limiting the direction ofsound dispersion to less than 360.

13. A sound dispersing device comprising: a fiat circular inner primarydisc; a pair of circular outer secondary discs disposed equidistantlyfrom and: substantially coaxial with said primary disc; and a pair ofcircular tertiary discs, one thereof being disposed between eachsecondary disc and the primary disc, each of saidtertiary discs havingaithroat opening at its center contiguous to but. slightly spaced fromthe center of the base disc: and extending from said throat opening fromthe primary disc to an outer periphery contiguous' tobut slightly spacedfrom the outer periphery of the adjacent secondary disc.

14'. A sound dispersing device comprising: a flat,- circularinnerprimary disc; a pair of circular outer secondary discs disposedequidistantly fromv and substantially coaxial with said primary disc; apair of circular tertiary discs, one thereof, being disposed betweeneach secondary disc and .the primary disc, each of said tertiary discshaving a throat opening at its center contiguous to but slightly spacedfrom the center of thebase disc and. extending from said throat openingfrom the primary disc to an outer periphery contiguous to but slightlyspaced from the outer periphery of the adjacent secondary disc; andv apair of circular separator discs, one

thereof being disposed between and spacedly and substantially coaxialwith the first disc, 1!. conoidal third disc disposed between the firstand second discs and having a throat opening at its center contiguous tobut slightly spaced from the center of the first disc and extending fromsaid throat opening conoidally from the first disc to an outer peripherycontiguous to but slightly spaced from the periphery of the second discthus forming with the first disc a unitary 360 high frequency sounddispersing horn and forming with the second disc a unitary 360 lowfrequency sound dispersing resonator, and a vibratory diaphragm disposedadjacent said throat opening wherefrom' sound waves are generatedsimultaneously in said horn. and said resonator and dispersed therefromin approximately the same phase.

FRED A. MANLEY.

REFERENCES GITED The following references are of record inlthe file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,759,556 Hutchison May 20, 19302,096,192 Moore Oct. 19, 1937 2,206,427 Preston July 2, 1940 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 22,718 Australia May 22, 1935 370,874 ItalyMar. 4, 1939

